Busting Brackets
Fansided

Big Sky Basketball: Top contenders for the 2018-19 season

By Jason Burgess

GLENDALE, AZ - MARCH 31: An Oregon Ducks player dribbles a Final Four game ball in practice ahead of the 2017 NCAA Men's Basketball Final Four at University of Phoenix Stadium on March 31, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - MARCH 31: An Oregon Ducks player dribbles a Final Four game ball in practice ahead of the 2017 NCAA Men's Basketball Final Four at University of Phoenix Stadium on March 31, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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WICHITA, KS – MARCH 15: Head coach Travis DeCuire speaks with Ahmaad Rorie #14, Sayeed Pridgett #4 and Fabijan Krslovic #20 of the Montana Grizzlies during a stopage against the Michigan Wolverines during the second half of the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at INTRUST Arena on March 15, 2018 in Wichita, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
WICHITA, KS – MARCH 15: Head coach Travis DeCuire speaks with Ahmaad Rorie #14, Sayeed Pridgett #4 and Fabijan Krslovic #20 of the Montana Grizzlies during a stopage against the Michigan Wolverines during the second half of the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at INTRUST Arena on March 15, 2018 in Wichita, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

Big Sky Basketball was one of the most competitive leagues last season. Who are the top contenders heading into 2018-19?

Eastern Washington

The Eagles finished last season at 20-15 with a 13-5 record in the Big Sky. Shantay Legans’ squad fell one game short of the ultimate conference prize, falling to Montana in the title game of the conference tournament.

Don’t feel too bad for the Eagles though, despite losing their top scorer and only player to average double figures, Bogdan Bliznyuk, who scored 21.2 per game and was also the team’s leading rebounder (6.8), Legans does return seven of the team’s next top eight scorers. There may not be a double-digit scorer among the returnees, but the Eagles have balance as all seven averaged between 7.7 and 6.3 points per game.

Just three of the returning players will be seniors, guards Ty Gibson and Cody Benzel as well as forward 6-7 forward Jesse Hunt. Hunt returns after missing half the season and starting point guard Luka Vulikic also returns after playing in just eight games last season. Underclassmen Jacob Davison, Mason Peatling, and Jack Perry all gained a year of valuable experience and will now be looked upon to carry more of the Eagles’ offensive load.

Legans also signed a trio of guards to give them even more depth. Mike Meadows (6-2) and Austin Fadal (6-4) come by way of California and Mike Meadows, who is also 6-4 is a native of Seattle. Even with the departure of Bliznyuk, the Eagles should be one of the deeper and more balanced teams in the conference.

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